The Department of Health (DoH) has underscored the importance of balance between screen time and activities for students who are now engaged in online classes during this time of COVID-19 pandemic.
The DoH said that an online class “brings increased levels of safety” as students are prevented from being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 as they are in their own homes.
It also noted that online classes may “help students practice effective time management especially if they are in a modular type of digital learning, as they are studying at their own pace,” depending on the curriculum and schedule.
With this type of learning, however, “there could be increasing feelings of isolation due to lack of face-to-face interaction,” the agency said.
“Students may experience health concerns related to increased screen time such as fatigue, headache, lack of motivation, and avoidance/procrastination among others,” the DoH said.
The Health department said that it should be ensured that children are “taking breaks in between classes and having time away from the computer.”
A routine should also be established wherein there is an academic personal life balance, which includes being physically active, eating, sleeping, among others, the DoH said.
It also important to always try to understand the feelings of children, the DoH said.
“Practice self-care, self-compassion, and self-awareness of their thoughts and feelings,” the agency said, adding that children should be encouraged to voice out what they feel.